The '2026 Road to MSI (RTM)' kicks off on the 6th at LoL PARK in Jongno, Seoul. Dplus KIA, which finished the LCK regular season 2nd round in 5th place, and HanJin Brion, which finished 6th, stand at the starting line of a grueling journey toward one of only two available MSI tickets.

Dplus KIA emerged victorious in both regular-season matchups this year. After shutting out HanJin Brion in the first round, Dplus KIA secured a 2-1 win in their second-round rematch following a fierce battle. Notably, the second round took place while HanJin Brion was on a massive hot streak, having recorded their first-ever 5-game winning streak, but Dplus KIA stifled that momentum with seasoned late-game macro and superior teamfight focus.

For HanJin Brion, which trails in the head-to-head record, the biggest threat to neutralize is 'ShowMaker' Heo Su. 'ShowMaker' earned Player of the Match (POM) honors in both encounters, showcasing a diverse champion pool including Annie, Ahri, Viktor, and Taliyah, and even pulling out a surprise mid-lane Kog'Maw despite a loss in that specific game. HanJin Brion's 'Loki' Lee Sang-min in the first round and 'Roamer' Jo Woo-jin in the second round both attempted to counter 'ShowMaker', but neither could suppress his carry potential.

The best-of-five format also favors Dplus KIA. While both teams are built around solid veterans—'Teddy' Park Jin-sung for HanJin Brion and 'ShowMaker' for Dplus KIA—with rosters otherwise composed of relatively inexperienced players, the gap in experience regarding high-stakes matches and series play is clear. Dplus KIA holds a distinct advantage, having gained playoff and international experience in tournaments like the 2025 KeSPA Cup and the 2026 LCK Cup.

Although HanJin Brion is trailing in both raw power and experience, there are clear variables at play. HanJin Brion is known as a 'King Slayer' and the original 'Dplus KIA Killer.' Despite remaining in the lower ranks since the LCK's transition to a franchise model, they have earned the 'King Slayer' moniker by landing a lethal 'one hit' against top-tier teams every year.

In particular, even when Dplus KIA was a championship contender, they frequently allowed upsets to HanJin Brion, leading to the 'Dplus KIA Killer' title. In the previous 2025 LCK regular season, Dplus KIA held a higher standing, but HanJin Brion (then OK Savings Bank Brion) held the edge in their head-to-head record with 3 wins and 2 losses. If HanJin Brion can channel this characteristic into the unpredictable nature of a best-of-five series, a reversal could be on the cards.

For HanJin Brion to pull off an upset, their top priority is to secure bot-lane priority led by veteran 'Teddy' and keep Dplus KIA's heart, 'ShowMaker', in check. All eyes are on this first clash toward MSI: will HanJin Brion, armed with the spirit of an underdog, reveal their true colors as a King Slayer, or will Dplus KIA defend the pride of the top-tier teams with their superior power and experience.